Nicolaus Moser
A pair of wheel lock rifles with self-spanning locks German, Nicolaus Moser, dated 1671.Octagonal, slightly swamped barrels with rifled bores of 14 mm caliber. Inserted brass front sight on each with cut, collapsible rear sight, signed above the chambers "Nicolaus Moser anno 1671".
Self-spanning chiseled wheel locks with set triggers. On the lock plate - engraved fox with goose, on the parced covers - a crown between two lions, in front of the hammer springs - monkeys at play.
Carved full walnut stocks with patch box covers and bone nose cap, the butts (one with some worm damage) inlaid with engraved, blackened bone inlays and each with a brand mark on the underside.
To the rear of the breech screws, stock makers mark "IS". Iron trigger guard with inventory number attached "191" and/or "192" respectively. Wooden ramrod (one refurbished) with horn tips.
Length of each 113.5 cm.
Provenance: Arms collection of the Prince zu Salm-Reifferscheidt-Dyck, Part 1, Christie's, London, 15th April 1992. Lot No. 162.
